A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Wisconsin Dells vs. San Diego for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Wisconsin Dells or San Diego?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or San Diego? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells is a lighthearted, high energy, and fun-filled city. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and nightlife.

San Diego

San Diego is a idyllic, fun-filled, and hip coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Wisconsin Dells and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wisconsin Dells or San Diego?

Visitors will usually find more to do in San Diego than Wisconsin Dells, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Wisconsin Dells is well known for its many waterparks and unapologetically playful atmosphere. San Diego is well known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. Also, San Diego is famous for The San Diego Zoo.

How is Wisconsin Dells different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Diego and Wisconsin Dells. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Wisconsin Dells or San Diego?

San Diego is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

San Diego offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.

While most people don't head to Wisconsin Dells specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of art galleries in the area, but most visitors spend the majority of their time at the theme parks and waterparks.

Is the Food Better in Wisconsin Dells or San Diego? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Wisconsin Dells and San Diego both to be notable destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Wisconsin Dells. Pizza, pasta, burgers, and steak in a family-friendly atmosphere are the most common options in the area. There are also a few fine dining restaurants as well as pubs and brunch places to choose from.

San Diego is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.

Is Wisconsin Dells or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Wisconsin Dells or San Diego has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Wisconsin Dells know how to have a good time. In the evening the fun-filled atmosphere takes on a different vibe. There are bars, clubs, casinos, and shows that keep things lively throughout the evening.

The nightlife in San Diego has something for everybody. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.

Is Wisconsin Dells or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is a great destination for its live music scene. However, Wisconsin Dells is not a live music destination.

San Diego has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Wisconsin Dells is not a live music destination.

Is Wisconsin Dells or San Diego Better for Resorts?

Wisconsin Dells and San Diego offer a relatively similar set of notable luxury resort options.

With a selection of resorts, Wisconsin Dells makes a nice vacation spot. Many of the waterparks in the area have affiliated resorts that offer family-friendly entertainment.

San Diego has a few great resort options. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.

Is Wisconsin Dells or San Diego Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

San Diego is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wisconsin Dells is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

San Diego has a few good snorkeling spots. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.

Wisconsin Dells is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Wisconsin Dells or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is a world-class destination for the beache. However, Wisconsin Dells is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in San Diego. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Wisconsin Dells is not a beach destination.

Is Wisconsin Dells or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around San Diego. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.

Many people include a hike when visiting Wisconsin Dells. Visitors often forget that this was originally a destination for its natural beauty. There are still many hiking trails in the area with some of the favorites found at Mirror Lake State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, and Chimney Rock Private Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Wisconsin Dells or San Diego?

San Diego is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its shopping areas.

San Diego offers some nice shopping areas. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.

Wisconsin Dells has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers, as well as gift shops in the area.

Is Wisconsin Dells or San Diego Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Wisconsin Dells or San Diego.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Wisconsin Dells is a very family-friendly destination. While it used to be known for its impressive sandstone formations along the Wisconsin River, today it has a more touristy atmosphere with theme parks and amusement parks. It's also become known as the "Water Park Capital of the World", and it won't disappoint. There are both indoor and outdoor waterparks as well as train rides, boat rides, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

San Diego is one of the most popular family destinations. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.

Is Wisconsin Dells or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

San Diego makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.

Wisconsin Dells is a good city for couples to visit. There are a number of resorts with spas and romantic atmospheres. There are also wineries and plenty of entertainment options in the area.

Is Wisconsin Dells or San Diego Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Diego is a popular place for backpackers. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit San Diego. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Wisconsin Dells is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find campgrounds in the area, but most places are very built up and don't have the natural setting that backpackers appreciate.

Is Wisconsin Dells or San Diego Better for Students?

San Diego is a world-class destination for students. However, Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.

Many students frequent San Diego. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.

Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.

Is Wisconsin Dells or San Diego Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

San Diego is a coastal city with a few options for its public transit. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.

Public transit is quite limited in Wisconsin Dells. There's no real public transportation in the area.

Is Wisconsin Dells or San Diego a more walkable city?

San Diego is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.

Wisconsin Dells is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is walkable, you really need a car to access everything that the area has to offer.

For even more information, also check out Is Wisconsin Dells Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Wisconsin Dells?

How long in Wisconsin Dells or San Diego?

In either Wisconsin Dells or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than Wisconsin Dells because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Wisconsin Dells, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

Families should spend more time in San Diego than Wisconsin Dells. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Diego, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in San Diego than Wisconsin Dells. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Diego that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Diego than Wisconsin Dells if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Diego.

One day in Wisconsin Dells or San Diego?

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Wisconsin Dells. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The hip destination of San Diego offers shopping and museums. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Wisconsin Dells or San Diego?

You'll find food and nightlife around the high energy destination of Wisconsin Dells. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

The coastal city of San Diego offers museums and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Wisconsin Dells or San Diego?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy city of Wisconsin Dells. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

San Diego is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. This coastal city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Wisconsin Dells or San Diego?

Wisconsin Dells is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting San Diego. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wisconsin Dells and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Wisconsin Dells much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wisconsin Dells would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wisconsin Dells and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego than you might in Wisconsin Dells.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wisconsin Dells Expensive? and Is San Diego Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wisconsin Dells or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 500 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Wisconsin Dells and San Diego, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Wisconsin Dells or San Diego?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or San Diego in the Summer?

Both San Diego and Wisconsin Dells during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Wisconsin Dells is around the same temperature as San Diego in the summer. The daily temperature in Wisconsin Dells averages around 74°F (24°C) in July, and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wisconsin Dells. In the summer, Wisconsin Dells often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego. Wisconsin Dells gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.

Wisconsin Dells usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Wisconsin Dells gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wisconsin Dells and San Diego. The autumn months attract visitors to Wisconsin Dells because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

In the autumn, Wisconsin Dells is much colder than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wisconsin Dells in October average around 52°F (11°C), and San Diego averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. Wisconsin Dells usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during autumn. Wisconsin Dells gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Wisconsin Dells usually receives more rain than San Diego. Wisconsin Dells gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or San Diego in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wisconsin Dells as well as San Diego. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wisconsin Dells this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Wisconsin Dells in the winter. In January, Wisconsin Dells is generally much colder than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 19°F (-7°C), and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the winter, Wisconsin Dells often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Wisconsin Dells gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.

Wisconsin Dells usually gets less rain in January than San Diego. Wisconsin Dells gets 1 inches (25 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego and Wisconsin Dells are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Wisconsin Dells is much colder than San Diego in the spring. The daily temperature in Wisconsin Dells averages around 49°F (10°C) in April, and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wisconsin Dells. Wisconsin Dells usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during spring. Wisconsin Dells gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Wisconsin Dells usually receives more rain than San Diego. Wisconsin Dells gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Wisconsin Dells